The Advocate, Counsellor, or Barrister, in English. Latin summary. Jurisconsultus sive bicaudis. garrulus, animal omnino singulare; vultu pallido, calloso, tristi, attamen procaci; tergore nigro, fluxo, anguino, quod exuit sponte suâ; mirabiliore autem cæsarie, albâ, pulverulentâ, intortâ quasi calamistro, bicaudi, quam simul expeditiusque deponit. Ingreditur, potiusve sedet, gregatim; et incidens in folia quædam papyri pertenuia, anglicè dicta bank notes sive fees, celat in perula iustanter; exultatque in pedes posteriores, garritque gesticulaturque modo simiæ caudatæ. "This is a very singular animal, chiefly remarkable for its having two tails at the back of its head, and for its being moved by the touch of certain thin leaves of the papyrus, or paper-tree, to get up on its hind legs, and utter a long discordant gabble. Its skin is black, hangs loosely about it, and can be cast by the animal at pleasure like that of a snake. What is still more extraordinary, it has this faculty also with regard to its two tails, and the pallid hairy kind of rug to which they are attached. The rug resembles the natural peruke of certain monkeys, or rather the curled rug which is left on the hind quarters of a dog. When it casts its outer skin, it generally appears in a closer one of the same colour; and some of the older bicauds, when they cast their rug and two tails, produce another from beneath like a pig's. But this latter species is going out. The face is generally pale; and, like some of the larger tribe of monkeys, thoughtful and melancholy. A pert character is, nevertheless, usually observable in it, and even a hardness and want of feeling; though when young, and before its two tails are grown, or occasionally some time afterwards, it is often a sprightly creature. We have known some, who have little resemblance, however, to the rest of the species, exhibit a lively emotion at hearing music and poetry, and even at the sight of sculpture; and these will also roam about the fields with a mixed gravity and vivacity, like colts come to years of discretion. "The bicaud farther resembles the monkey in being gregarious. Young and old assemble in different places every morning, before two or three aged ones, whose skins are bordered with ermine, and whose tails have grown to a size like those of African sheep, and hang forward on each side of their faces. The whole sight is very ridiculous, and resembles the well-known pheno~~ menon of a council of crows. Some unfortunate animals, when they have been caught trespassing on their premises, are brought in, as if to be judged; and one two-tailed gabbler gets up at a time on his hind legs, and appears to reason on the subject, making strange grins and gesticulations. Sometimes he seems to laugh; sometimes he raises his eye-brows, as if in astonishment; sometimes tosses his skin and two tails about in all the heat and flutter of an angry fine lady; and every now and then he turns over certain thicker leaves of the papyrus, of which there is always great plenty on the spot. All this looks as if something really were meant; but it has been well ascertained, by innumerable and anxious experiments, that the bicaud who gets up to gabble, is influenced, not by any interest in behalf of the culprit or of reason, but by his having secretly touched some of those thin leaves previously mentioned, which he immediately conveys into a pouch on his right side, and the possession of which puts him into a sort of transport. All the rest, who have not been so lucky, remain sitting as gravely as possible, except when nothing appears to be going forward: at which time they are as noisy and apparently as mischievous as a forest of monkeys, or a school in the master's absence, chattering, and mowing at each other the whole time, the younger especially. "It is to be observed of this cunning and melancholy animal that there is none which it is so difficult to get beyond the usual instinct, or what may be called habit and precedent of its species. It is also bolder and more like a man, when it casts its outer skin, but the moment the latter is resumed, relapses into its characteristic timidity, especially in presence of the old ones, at whose slightest muttering, it suspends its gabble, ducking and bowing, and drawing the air through its teeth, with an infinite gravity of deference. It seems to attach itself naturally to the rich and great; and, like most creatures of the anthropomorphite race, will sit at table, eat heartily, and drink more so, particularly wine, of which it is very fond. It is also extremely amorous, though after a coarse fashion; and we have known it dangerous for women to go near some of the very oldest. The latter, when observed, put on aspects so prodigiously grave and devout, that the one whose skin in advanced age is marked with certain golden stripes, has been facetiously called, Keeper of the King's Conscience.-(Leigh Hunt.) "The former Sir Thomas More had sent him, by a suitor in Chancery, two silver flagons. When they were presented by the gentleman's servant, he said to one of his men, Have you to the cellar, and let him have of my best wine;' and, turning to the servant, said, 'Tell thy master, if he like it, let him not spare it.'" (Bacon's Apothegms.) Some similar anecdotes of Sir Thomas More will be found in these volumes under the title of "Ju dicial Corruption." REMARKABLE CASE OF THE PERRYS, William Harrison, steward to lady Campden, at Campden, in Gloucestershife, about seventy years of age, went, August 16, 1660, to receive my lady's rents, which he did, and not returning home that night, gave cause to suspect he was murdered. After some time, John Perry, his servant, gave information before a justice of peace, that his brother Richard had robbed and murdered him, that his mother stood by whilst it was done, and that Richard had once before broke open his master's house, and robbed him. At the following Assizes, Joan, John, and Richard Perry, had two indictments preferred against them, one for breaking open the house of Mr. Harrison, and robbing him of 1401. in the year 1659, and the other for robbing and murdering him August 16, 1660. Upon the last indictment, the then Judge of Assize, Sir Christopher Turner, Knt. would not try them, because the body was not found on the former indictment for the robbery, they pleaded "not guilty;" but on people's persuading them, they retracted their plea, and pleaded guilty; begging the benefit of his Majesty's most gracious pardon and act of oblivion, which was granted them and though they pleaded guilty to this indictment, being prompted thereto, yet they all a : |